Landing gear retraction error leads to runway excursion at Bembridge

Casualties unknown • Bembridge Airfield, Isle of Wight, GB

A Glasair RG aircraft sustained significant damage after landing on Runway 12 with its landing gear still retracted during a private flight.

What happened

On 1 September 2004, a Glasair RG, registration G-TRUK, was conducting a private flight to Bembridge Airfield on the Isle of Wight. The pilot, flying from Fairoaks, followed his routine procedure of contacting the airfield for joining instructions while crossing the mainland coast. During this communication, the pilot was informed of a Piper PA-2els joining the left base leg for Runway 12.

In an effort to maintain separation, the pilot widened his approach and reduced speed. This change in flight profile caused the aircraft to be further from the airfield than usual at the point where the pilot typically performs downwind checks. During this period, the pilot became preoccupied with locating the other aircraft and was further distracted by an unfamiliar tone in his noise-cancelling headset.

As the aircraft transitioned to final approach, the pilot selected full flaps but failed to extend the landing gear. Because the approach was shallower than usual, the pilot required more power, which effectively masked the lack of aerodynamic drag caused by the retracted gear. The aircraft touched down gently on Runway 12, but because the gear was not down, the aircraft slid approximately 300 metres along the runway. The impact resulted in damage to the propeller, engine, cowling, flaps, and various other components, though there were no injuries to the pilot.

The investigation

way The AAIB examined the pilot's flight procedures and the sequence of events leading to the gear omission. The investigation established that the pilot's routine was disrupted by the need to coordinate with another aircraft in the circuit. The investigation also looked into the source of the auditory distraction in the cockpit and the pilot's cockpit management during the approach.

Findings

  • The pilot's focus was diverted from standard downwind checklists due to the task of monitoring the position of another aircraft.
  • The pilot's decision to widen the approach and reduce speed led to a flight profile that differed from his established routine.
  • The failure to extend the landing gear was masked by the increased power required for the shallow descent angle.
  • An unfamiliar tone from the noise-cancelling headset acted as a secondary distraction during the final approach phase.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear, a mistake facilitated by a loss of situational awareness and distraction during the approach, and further obscured by a flight profile that masked the lack of drag.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2004-09-01 GLASAIR RG accident near Bembridge Airfield, Isle of Wight, GB?

A Glasair RG aircraft sustained significant damage after landing on Runway 12 with its landing gear still retracted during a private flight.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2004-09-01 involved a GLASAIR RG, registration G-TRUK, at Bembridge Airfield, Isle of Wight, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear, a mistake facilitated by a loss of situational awareness and distraction during the approach, and further obscured by a flight profile that masked the lack of drag.

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